Story and photos by Kim Krause
A northern Arizona Peace Trail UTV ride can begin in Wikieup, reach Lake Havasu City by way of historic cabins, continue through Oatman and Topock toward Kingman, then climb into the Hualapai Mountains before returning to the desert. That was the route for a March 2024 trip with UTV Off-Road Adventures. Over three days, 23 UTVs carrying 48 riders covered approximately 300 miles, with rain, snow and a boulder blocking the last leg.
The Arizona Peace Trail is a western Arizona OHV loop of more than 675 miles, with connectors and side trips. This story follows one group’s northern itinerary, rather than a fixed 300-mile segment of the main trail. Riders came from Washington, South Dakota, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, California, New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona.
Day 1: Wikieup to Lake Havasu City
The group checked in at Wikieup and met the ride leader and tail gunner for a drivers’ meeting. Breakfast at Hidden Oasis RV Park preceded Friday’s departure. Riders carried extra fuel, food, drinks and rain gear; morning rain soon settled the dust.
On the way to Lake Havasu City, the convoy visited stone cabins, Founder’s Cabin, Woody’s Cabin and the Spider landmark. London Bridge gave the group a familiar destination at the end of a backcountry day. Dinner, lodging and an evening of raffles and stories followed at the Quality Inn in Lake Havasu.
Day 2: Lake Havasu, Topock, Oatman and Kingman
Day two took the riders toward Kingman through Colorado River country and the old mining-town landscape around Oatman. The report notes Hole in the Rock, slot canyons, waterfalls and locally known stops including the Panty Tree and Red’s. Oatman’s burros and Old West setting were another highlight. Lunch was at Topock 66 Restaurant and Bar on the Colorado River.
From higher ground, the group could see toward Bullhead City, Laughlin and the river before ending the day in Kingman. Dinner and lodging at the Best Western Plus gave the riders a break before the mountain crossing. The charity poker winner was also announced there.
Day 3: Hualapai Mountains, Boriana Mine and the Rough Return to Wikieup
The final day brought a sharp change in conditions. Snow covered parts of the Hualapai Mountains as the group negotiated hairpin turns and climbs near Boriana Mine and a pond with koi. The route then passed through Yucca, where Joshua trees and ocotillo marked the return to lower desert terrain.
Kim called the final stretch the “Brutal Trail to Wikieup.” It was rocky, tight and rough even before rain and more snow arrived. A large boulder, apparently displaced after wet weather, blocked the route until several riders moved it. The convoy eventually made it back to Wikieup, completing a loop that had crossed river country, mining landmarks, snowy mountains and desert in just three days.
Plan a Northern Arizona Peace Trail UTV Trip
Download the current AZPT GPS tracks and route updates before using Wikieup, Lake Havasu and Kingman as a multi-day framework. This March 2024 trip is a report of one guided route, not turn-by-turn directions. The AZPT notes that weather, snow and temporary race closures can require detours. Check current road access and vehicle requirements, plan fuel and lodging between towns, and carry offline navigation, water, warm layers and recovery gear.
More Arizona Peace Trail Trip Reports
- 2025 northern Arizona Peace Trail ride — a different three-day loop that reached Kingman before Lake Havasu.
- 2024 southern AZPT ride — the group’s later Salome, Wellton and Quartzsite trip.
- 710-mile Arizona Peace Trail adventure — a longer, self-supported ride.
For information on guided rides, visit UTV Off-Road Adventures.
